Abelmoschus esculentus (L - the University of Maine at Fort Kent

Kermath, Bennett and Pulsipher - Food Plants in the Americs
FAMILY: Verbenaceae (verbena)
ENGLISH: American beauty-berry, beauty berry, beautyberry, beautybush,
Bermuda mulberry, French mulberry, sour berry, sow berry, Spanish
mulberry
USES/NOTES: Tiny, magenta (rarely white) drupes, which cluster around
petioles, may be eaten out of hand or preserved. Out of hand, the
fruits are often flavorless to astringent at times and often mealy.
Leaves of the Japanese species (Callicarpa japonica) are used for
tea. Recent literature suggests possible placement in the mint
family (Labiatae or Lamiaceae).
NATURAL RANGE: Eastern U.S. from Maryland, to Florida, to Texas,
northeastern Mexico, Bermuda, the Bahamas, and parts of Cuba
REFERENCES: Godfrey 1988, Kermath (notes), Martin et al. 1987, Nelson
1994, Taylor 1998, Watkins and Sheehan 1975
Callicarpa japonica L.
FAMILY: Verbenaceae (verbena)
ENGLISH: Japanese beautyberry, Japanese callicarpa
USES/NOTES: Although cultivated as an ornamental in the Americas, the
leaves are used for tea in Japan. The cultivated variety
“leucocarpa” produces white fruit instead of magenta. Recent
literature suggests possible placement in the mint family (Labiatae
or Lamiaceae).
NATURAL RANGE: Japan and China perhaps to Korea, naturalized in North
Carolina
REFERENCES: Facciola 1990, PFAF n.d.
Callirhoe digitata Nutt.
FAMILY: Malvaceae (mallow)
ENGLISH: fringed poppy mallow, winecups
USES/NOTES: Amerindians ate the roots.
NATURAL RANGE: Southern U.S.
REFERENCES: Hyam and Pankhurst 1995, Mabberley 1987, Uphof 1968,
Yanovsky 1936
Callirhoe involucrata (Nutt. ex Torrey & A. Gray) A. Gray
FAMILY: Malvaceae (mallow)
ENGLISH: buffalo rose, finger poppy-mallow, low poppy-mallow, purple
poppy-mallow, winecups
USES/NOTES: Roots are eaten like sweet potatoes and leaves are used to
thicken soups.
NATURAL RANGE: Central North America from south-central Canada and
North Dakota through Texas into Mexico and west to Utah,
naturalized in Florida and elsewhere
REFERENCES: Facciola 1990, Fernald 1950, Hyam and Pankhurst 1995,
Kindscher 1987, Yanovsky 1936
Calochortus aureus S. Watson [once considered conspecific with C.
nuttallii (Bailey Hortorium)]
FAMILY: Calochortaceae (mariposa lily) or Liliaceae (lily)
DRAFT - DO NOT DUPLICATE OR DISTRIBUTE
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